Tablets are HOT right now, though not everyone can afford a
$500+ Apple iPad, Motorola Xoom, or other high-end tablet. With the Pandigital
Novel 7-inch tablet, you'll get many of Android's popular functions including
the ability to check email, browse the web, manage your calendar, listen to
music, watch movies, read books, and much more. The tablet also lets you
install apps, though the installation process is different from other Android
tablets and smartphones. We'll discuss these differences in greater detail in
the coming pages.
The 7-inch Novel eReader comes with 2GB of onboard memory
and an SD card slot that supports cards as large as 32GB for easy expansion.
The eReader also offers Wi-Fi and USB 2.0 connectivity. We wondered what type
of a tablet you can get for less than $200, so we decided to check it out. Join
us in the coming pages as we take a hands-on look at the Pandigital Multimedia
Novel 7-inch Android tablet.
The Novel 7-inch tablet features a lightweight and small
form factor that makes it easy to slip into your briefcase or purse. This
tablet measures 5.25 x 7.25 x 0.5 inches and weighs just 12 ounces. Its 7-inch
screen supports a resolution of 600 x 800. This is a resistive touch display, so
it's not quite as smooth or responsive as the capacitive touch displays we've
seen on the Xoom or iPad. As is fairly typical of resistive touch display
devices, the tablet also comes with a stylus for input and navigation.
A black plastic bezel surrounds the screen on the front of
the device. A similar version of this tablet is also available with a white
bezel. There are no buttons on the front of the tablet, though you will find a
light sensor just above the display. The bezel is a tad on the flimsy side,
though it serves its purpose. The case of the Novel 7-inch Tablet is
comprised of plastic, which is to be expected considering the Novel's target
market and price point.
On the left edge of the tablet near the top, you'll find the
Power button. The right side of the tablet houses the miniUSB port as well as a
DC jack. At the base of the right side, you'll notice the stylus. The top edge
of the Novel 7-inch Tablet houses the volume rocker, SD card slot,
combination Wi-Fi and low power switch, and a headset jack. The back of the
Novel 7-inch Tablet contains the speaker in the upper right corner.
In the box, you'll find a User Guide, Quick Start Guide, AC
Adapter, USB Cable, and a cradle. The cradle can be particularly useful for
people who want to use the tablet to watch videos, reference something on tablet's screen
while also working on a PC, or as a digital photo frame when the Novel 7-inch
Tablet is not being used for other purposes.
Viewing angles with Novel 7 are decent, though they're
definitely not as good as we've seen on some other tablets. Generally, we were
able to view and read the screen at a 45 degree angle to the screen. Like other
tablets, the Novel 7-inch Tablet has an accelerometer that will automatically
rotate the screen when you rotate the device. Here again, the accelerometer
isn't quite as responsive as other high-end tablets but it gets the job done.
Originally, the 7-inch Pandigital Novel shipped without full
access to the Android operating system. Thanks to a firmware
update, the tablet received greater functionality including support
for a range of file formats and the ability to shop and access content from
Barnes & Noble’s NOOKbook Store. Existing customers who own the original
7-inch Pandigital Novel can take advantage of the free update by visiting
Pandigital's web site.
Pandigital released a firmware update during
the course of our review so we installed the latest firmware. The update
process was as simple as one could ask for – simply download the
software upgrade tool from Pandigital's site, follow a few instructional
screens, restart the device, and enjoy your newly updated Novel. We appreciate
that Pandigital makes the update process easy and pain-free. The whole process
took us less than 15 minutes to complete. With the firmware update, Pandigital
says users will get faster overall performance, support for a variety of additional
file formats, the ability to install applications, and more.
There aren't a ton of pre-installed apps on the Novel 7-inch
Tablet, but the basic personal information management applications you would
expect are available. For example, there is an alarm clock, calculator,
calendar, contact, and email applications. There are also music and photo
viewing apps. Most users that are interested in basic tablet functionality with
a device like the Novel 7-inch Tablet, will be glad there isn't a lot of
unnecessary and added bloat applications.
For users who want an ultra-affordable tablet with basic
personal information management functionality as well as the ability to carry
and read eBooks, the Pandigital Novel 7-inch Tablet may be a good fit.
By Jennifer Johnson
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